Speculative Fiction Portal logo
Speculative fiction is an umbrella phrase encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres , specifically science fiction , fantasy , horror , supernatural fiction , superhero fiction , utopian and dystopian fiction , apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction , and alternate history in literature as well as related static, motion, and virtual arts.
It has been around since humans began to speak. The earliest forms of speculative fiction were likely mythological tales told around the campfire. Speculative fiction deals with the "What if?" scenarios imagined by dreamers and thinkers worldwide. Journeys to other worlds through the vast reaches of distant space; magical quests to free worlds enslaved by terrible beings; malevolent supernatural powers seeking to increase their spheres of influence across multiple dimensions and times; all of these fall into the realm of speculative fiction.
Speculative fiction as a category ranges from ancient works to cutting edge , paradigm -changing, and neotraditional works of the 21st century. It can be recognized in works whose authors' intentions or the social contexts of the versions of stories they portrayed is now known. For example, Ancient Greek dramatists such as Euripides , whose play Medea (play) seemed to have offended Athenian audiences when he fictionally speculated that shamaness Medea killed her own children instead of their being killed by other Corinthians after her departure. The play Hippolytus , narratively introduced by Aphrodite , is suspected to have displeased contemporary audiences of the day because it portrayed Phaedra as too lusty.
In historiography , what is now called speculative fiction has previously been termed "historical invention", "historical fiction ," and other similar names. It is extensively noted in the literary criticism of the works of William Shakespeare when he co-locates Athenian Duke Theseus and Amazonian Queen Hippolyta , English fairy Puck , and Roman god Cupid all together in the fairyland of its Merovingian Germanic sovereign Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream . In mythography it has been termed "mythopoesis" or mythopoeia , "fictional speculation", the creative design and generation of lore, regarding such works as J. R. R. Tolkien 's The Lord of the Rings . Such supernatural , alternate history , and sexuality themes continue in works produced within the modern speculative fiction genre.
Jump to a specific section below
Selected profile Newman at the Canadian media delegation to China in 1974
Sydney Cecil Newman OC (April 1, 1917 – October 30, 1997) was a Canadian film and television producer, who played a pioneering role in British television drama from the late 1950s to the late 1960s. After his return to Canada in 1970, Newman was appointed acting director of the Broadcast Programs Branch for the Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC) and then head of the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). He also occupied senior positions at the Canadian Film Development Corporation and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation , and acted as an advisor to the Secretary of State .
During his time in Britain in the 1950s and 1960s, he worked first with
ABC Weekend TV , before moving across to the
BBC in 1962, holding the role of Head of Drama with both organisations. During this phase of his career, he created the
spy-fi series
The Avengers and co-created the science-fiction series
Doctor Who , as well as overseeing the production of groundbreaking
social realist drama series such as
Armchair Theatre and
The Wednesday Play . (
Full article... )
Selected work
Selected quote
“
We hope it will not be long before we may have other works of Science-Fiction [like Richard Henry Horne’s ‘‘The Poor Artist’’], as we believe such books likely to fulfil a good purpose, and create an interest, where, unhappily, science alone might fail. [Thomas] Campbell says, that ‘‘Fiction in Poetry is not the reverse of truth, but her soft and enchanting resemblance.’’ Now this applies especially to Science-Fiction, in which the revealed truths of Science may be given, interwoven with a pleasing story which may itself be poetical and true—thus circulating a knowledge of the Poetry of Science, clothed in a garb of the Poetry of life.
”
—William Wilson,
A Little Earnest Book upon a Great Old Subject , chapter 10 (1851). This is the first recorded use of the term
science fiction in history.
[1]
Selected picture
Fourth of Henry Holiday's original illustrations to "The Hunting of the Snark" by Lewis Carroll.
Fourth of Henry Holiday's original illustrations to "The Hunting of the Snark " by Lewis Carroll .
From Fit the Second: The Bellman's Speech. This shows the Bellman's map, which, being blank, is equally useful everywhere, unlike normal maps:
"Other maps are such shapes, with their islands and capes!
But we've got our brave Captain to thank"
(So the crew would protest) "that he's brought us the best--
A perfect and absolute blank!"
Did you know...
Upcoming conventions
Selected article
On this day...
April 30 :
Book releases
Film releases
Television series
Births
1926 - Edmund Cooper (d. 1982), an English poet and prolific writer of speculative fiction, children books, essays, and one detective novel
1930 - Bill Buchanan (d. ), an American songwriter best known for his science fiction songs
1938 - Larry Niven , an American science fiction author
1973 - Naomi Novik , an American historical fantasy and alternate history author
Deaths
1981 - François Bordes (b. 1919), a French scientist, geologist, archaeologist, and science fiction author
Possible futures
Possible events in the future as suggested by science fiction:
In 5000, the Filipino Army defeats the Alliance at the Battle of Reykjavik during the closing stages of World War V.
A geological survey on Zeta Minor is almost annihilated by anti-matter creatures in 37166.
Things you can do...
Here are ideas for how you can help improve the coverage of speculative fiction topics on Wikipedia:
Join a WikiProject or task force:
Science fiction (task force ): The 4400 , Babylon 5 , Battlestar Galactica , Doctor Who , Firefly , Futurama , G.I. Joe , Heroes , Hitchhiker's Guide , Life on Mars , Lost , Pokémon , Red Dwarf , Star Trek , Star Wars , Stargate , Superman , Transformers , Twilight Zone .
Fantasy : Artemis Fowl , Discworld , Fabelhaven , Harry Potter , Highlander , His Dark Materials , Inheritance Cycle , Lemony Snicket , Middle-Earth , Narnia , Oz , Percy Jackson , Redwall , Roald Dahl , Shannara , A Song of Ice and Fire , Warriors .
Horror : Buffy , Twilight .
Other and related: Animation , Anime and manga , Balzac , Children's literature , Comics , Disney , Machinima , Games (Board and tabletop games , Warhammer 40K , RPGs (D&D ), Video games (Square Enix )).
Start a requested article:
Create an article which someone has requested .
Expand a stub:
Expand a new article:
Expand and update a new speculative fiction article from the following list:
Note: If no articles are shown below, please work on those found in the Archive .
This list was generated from these rules . Questions and feedback are always welcome ! The search is being run daily with the most recent ~14 days of results. Note: Some articles may not be relevant to this project.
Rules | Match log | Results page (for watching) | Last updated: 2024-04-29 21:58 (UTC)
Note : The list display can now be customized by each user. See List display personalization for details.
Iravin Kangal ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Monhiroe (talk · contribs · new pages (15) ) started on 2024-04-27, score: 40
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Fico Puricelli (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-27, score: 35
Deaths in September 1987 ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Mill 1 (talk · contribs · new pages (13) ) started on 2024-04-27, score: 20
Deaths in October 1987 ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Mill 1 (talk · contribs · new pages (13) ) started on 2024-04-27, score: 20
They Turned Us Into Killers ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Vikiemoney (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-27, score: 80
Singleton (short story) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Samuel Adrian Antz (talk · contribs · new pages (3) ) started on 2024-04-27, score: 40
Axiomatic (short story) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Samuel Adrian Antz (talk · contribs · new pages (3) ) started on 2024-04-27, score: 40
36th Lambda Literary Awards ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Merely another passerby (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-27, score: 40
Hospital (Han Song novel) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Samuel Adrian Antz (talk · contribs · new pages (3) ) started on 2024-04-27, score: 40
Red Room 2 ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by LadybugStardust (talk · contribs · new pages (73) ) started on 2024-04-27, score: 140
Strago Magus ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Kung Fu Man (talk · contribs · new pages (6) ) started on 2024-04-26, score: 40
Deaths in December 1987 ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Mill 1 (talk · contribs · new pages (13) ) started on 2024-04-26, score: 20
The Soul of Anna Klane ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Tal Cohen (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-21, score: 40
Head-Space ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 213.133.70.242 (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-26, score: 25
List of Closer to Truth episodes ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 62.31.67.177 (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-26, score: 40
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths (film) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by (a)nnihilation97 (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-26, score: 35
Who Invited Them ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Lamro (talk · contribs · new pages (8) ) started on 2024-04-26, score: 100
Housefull 4 (soundtrack) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 103.154.37.77 (talk · contribs · new pages (2) ) started on 2024-04-26, score: 20
The Chosen and the Beautiful ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by LEvalyn (talk · contribs · new pages (4) ) started on 2024-04-26, score: 40
Brainwyrms ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by LEvalyn (talk · contribs · new pages (4) ) started on 2024-04-26, score: 65
Triton (film) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Hildreth gazzard (talk · contribs · new pages (165) ) started on 2024-04-26, score: 120
The Astronaut (upcoming film) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Hildreth gazzard (talk · contribs · new pages (165) ) started on 2024-04-26, score: 85
The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by BeatBro (talk · contribs · new pages (2) ) started on 2024-04-26, score: 45
Ember Sword ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Botto (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-25, score: 40
Violet Methley ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by SapientSquid (talk · contribs · new pages (22) ) started on 2024-04-23, score: 90
Relm Arrowny ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Cukie Gherkin (talk · contribs · new pages (11) ) started on 2024-04-23, score: 40
Matinee (2024 film) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Bangwiki (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-23, score: 80
Justin Cheung ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Prince of Erebor (talk · contribs · new pages (7) ) started on 2024-04-23, score: 20
Baakghost ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by SenthilGugan (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-23, score: 80
Gau (Final Fantasy) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Kung Fu Man (talk · contribs · new pages (6) ) started on 2024-04-23, score: 40
Back in Action (1994 film) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Redacwiki (talk · contribs · new pages (5) ) started on 2024-04-23, score: 20
Secrets of the Octopus ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Jackedano (talk · contribs · new pages (3) ) started on 2024-04-22, score: 25
Sideral Cruises ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Lord Cornwallis (talk · contribs · new pages (144) ) started on 2024-04-22, score: 80
Red Wizard (Thay) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by BOZ (talk · contribs · new pages (11) ) started on 2024-04-22, score: 20
Red Sun Rising (film) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Redacwiki (talk · contribs · new pages (5) ) started on 2024-04-18, score: 40
Big Daddy (BioShock) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Christian75 (talk · contribs · new pages (2) ) started on 2024-04-18, score: 25
Factions of Halo ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Christian75 (talk · contribs · new pages (2) ) started on 2024-04-18, score: 50
List of Regis High School alumni ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Melchior2006 (talk · contribs · new pages (15) ) started on 2024-04-18, score: 40
Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Significa liberdade (talk · contribs · new pages (25) ) started on 2024-04-18, score: 40
Kiss the Scars of the Girls ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Radiotsixty (talk · contribs · new pages (2) ) started on 2024-04-17, score: 20
Deaths in February 1988 ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Mill 1 (talk · contribs · new pages (13) ) started on 2024-04-17, score: 20
Disappear Completely ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by MatthewHoobin (talk · contribs · new pages (3) ) started on 2024-04-17, score: 80
The Beast Within ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Erik (talk · contribs · new pages (16) ) started on 2024-04-16, score: 40
The Splinter in the Sky ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by User montu (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-16, score: 60
Deaths in April 1988 ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Mill 1 (talk · contribs · new pages (13) ) started on 2024-04-16, score: 20
Deaths in May 1988 ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Mill 1 (talk · contribs · new pages (13) ) started on 2024-04-16, score: 20
Elea (given name) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Alenglin (talk · contribs · new pages (4) ) started on 2024-04-16, score: 20
Cyan Garamonde ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Kung Fu Man (talk · contribs · new pages (6) ) started on 2024-04-16, score: 40
Sennen Kitsune ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by SimonLagann (talk · contribs · new pages (17) ) started on 2024-04-16, score: 20
Sahab Qazalbash ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by BeauSuzanne (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-16, score: 20
Dancing Village: The Curse Begins ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Visnu92 (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-16, score: 80
Demon Hunters (film) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Hildreth gazzard (talk · contribs · new pages (165) ) started on 2024-04-16, score: 100
Shaitani Rasmein ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by ToadetteEdit (talk · contribs · new pages (72) ) started on 2024-04-15, score: 60
Gauss gun ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 50.47.139.46 (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-15, score: 40
Rick and Morty Go to Hell ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 87.198.188.18 (talk · contribs · new pages (0) ) started on 2024-04-15, score: 20
Scared to Death (upcoming film) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by ZX2006XZ (talk · contribs · new pages (3) ) started on 2024-04-15, score: 100
Scott Cole ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by ReaderofthePack (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-15, score: 20
Ernest Rupin ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Shyamal (talk · contribs · new pages (29) ) started on 2024-04-15, score: 35
Mugamoodi (soundtrack) ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 103.42.197.248 (talk · contribs · new pages (2) ) started on 2024-04-15, score: 20
Hildibrand Manderville ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Cukie Gherkin (talk · contribs · new pages (11) ) started on 2024-04-15, score: 60
Digory Kirke ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by VeryRarelyStable (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-04-15, score: 20
Cecil Harvey ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Cukie Gherkin (talk · contribs · new pages (11) ) started on 2024-04-14, score: 40
Chocolate Vampire ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by SimonLagann (talk · contribs · new pages (17) ) started on 2024-04-14, score: 20
Ashi-Girl ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by SimonLagann (talk · contribs · new pages (17) ) started on 2024-04-12, score: 55
Janani - AI Ki Kahani ( | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 2409:4071:209F:B301:0:0:1CC0:98A1 (talk · contribs · new pages (0) ) started on 2024-04-07, score: 40
Recognized content
Featured articles are considered to be the best on Wikipedia, as determined by Wikipedia's editors , and Good articles are those which are considered to be of good quality but which are not yet featured article quality. If you see one that should be listed here, please or post on the talk page and let us know so we can add it for you.
Science fiction
Featured articles
Featured lists
Fantasy
Featured articles
Horror
Featured articles
Speculative fiction topics
Subcategories
Category puzzle
Select [►] to view subcategories
Related portals
Wikimedia
The following Wikimedia Foundation sister projects provide more on this subject:
Commons Free media repository
Wikibooks Free textbooks and manuals
Wikidata Free knowledge base
Wikinews Free-content news
Wikiquote Collection of quotations
Wikisource Free-content library
Wikiversity Free learning tools
Wiktionary Dictionary and thesaurus
Associated content
Science fiction
The following Wikimedia Foundation sister projects provide more on this subject:
Commons Free media repository
Wikidata Free knowledge base
Wikisource Free-content library
Wikispecies Directory of species
Wikiversity Free learning tools
Wikivoyage Free travel guide
Fantasy
The following Wikimedia Foundation sister projects provide more on this subject:
Commons Free media repository
Wikidata Free knowledge base
Wikiquote Collection of quotations
Wikisource Free-content library
Wikispecies Directory of species
Wikiversity Free learning tools
Wikivoyage Free travel guide
Horror
The following Wikimedia Foundation sister projects provide more on this subject:
Commons Free media repository
Wikidata Free knowledge base
Wikisource Free-content library
Wikispecies Directory of species
Wikiversity Free learning tools
Wikivoyage Free travel guide
Portal directory